Ear protector



Feb. 16, 1932. R T RRELL ET AL 1,845,689

EAR PROTECTOR Filed June 17, 1951 INVENTORS Anna E. TLLIPGLL ""q O-MFl-sher BY Q ATTORNILIY Patented Feb. 16,1932

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANNA. R. TURRELL AND O'I'HO M. FLESHER, F RIVERBAN K, CALIFORNIA EAR PROTECTOR Application filed. June 17,

This invention relates to ear protectors. Our main object being to provide a device of this character designed to serve as a'coveringand protector for the ears of persons,

particularly ladies, when the hair is being dried subsequent to washing by means of a hot air blast as is common practice not only in the home but especially in so-called beauty shops. Such hot air blasts frequently irritate and otherwise harm the membranes of the ears, and these protectors prevent the air from entering the ears.

A further object is to provide protectors for the purpose adapted to be formed to shape at the time they are needed, and of such a simple and inexpensive material that they may be discarded after once being used without placing a burden on the operator of the shop, and so that possible unsanitary conditions are avoided.

These objects we accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of theblank from n which the protector is formed. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a protector in its finished condition ready for use. Fig. 3 is afanciful outline of a female head showing an ear protector as in place.

Referring now more particularlyto the characters of reference on the drawings, each ear protector is formed from a flat blank 1 which consists of a piece of paper of a suitable relatively soft and easily molded character, but which will retain it sha e when molded in a dry condition. T e bo y of the blank is shaped symmetrical to and substantially the same size as the average ear. The front edge of the blank is therefore relative- 1y straight as shown at A, so as to conform to the front contour of the ear where it connects to the head, while the remainder of the periphery of the blank is curved as at B so as to substantially follow the curvature of the helix and lobe of the ear.

The blank is also provided with a continu- 1931. Serial No. 545,016.

ous extension,2 projecting outwardly from the edge B from the top of the same to a point just short of the portion of the blank which covers the lobe. The outer edge of the extension 2 is concentric with the edge B.

In forming the blank for use the extension 2 is crimped or folded over throughout its length about the edge B by means of a suitable forming die so as to dispose said extension 2 substantially parallel to the blank about its curved edge in the form of a flange 3; and so that a space 4 .is formed between the flange and the major or flat area of the blank of sufficient width and depth to receive the helix of the ear throughout its extent. If the fold or bend is made away from one side 5 of the blank the protector will be right hand; and if the fold is made away from the opposite side the protector will be suitable for the left ear.

The protectors are slid into position on the ears from the top and when thus positioned the ears are completely covered and protected from exposure to the hot air currents set up with the operation of the air drying mechanism.

Fig. 3 shows a protector as positioned when the hair is to be dried prior to any waving or marcelling operations being performed. When waves such as what are known as finger waves are formed in the hair which must be subsequently dried, the usual net is then employed to hold the hair in place against the head duringthe drying operations also engages the protectors and positively prevents 5 displacement of the same until their use is no longer necessary, when they may be of course easily removed and discarded.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that we have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention-as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the o5 device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described our invention what we claim' as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

As an article of manufacture, an ear protector comprising a blank of flexible bendable 5 material initially flat throughout and shaped s mmetrical to an ear and of a size to' cover t e same, and a flange on the blank egztending along the top and back edge thereof to a termination short of the bottom and adapted, when the protector is to be put to use, to

be folded over to form a helix-receiving groove, whereby to support the protector and enable the same to be placed in position on the ear from above without distorting the same.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

- ANNA R. TURRELL.

OTHO M. FLESHER. 

